photos by Ian Lovell

Wales Schoolboys head coach Anthony Loxton has named his 18-man squad to play England Youth on Good Friday 10th April at Blackwood RFC (kick-off 1pm). The squad has been finalised following a trial process which included over 80 players selected from schools and clubs in Wales.

The players come from far and wide and include players from Pembrokeshire and North Wales. There is also a non-resident contingent with Gerard Ellis travelling from Southampton, Ben Jones from Blackpool and twins Rhys and Ben Evans now living in Warrington. The twins caused a stir when they moved from Bridgend to Warrington in 2007 to further their rugby league careers and actually represented England Youth last year. Ben has been named captain while his old team mate from Brynteg, Olly Olds, has been named vice captain.

Cwm Rhymni school is the best represented school with three players from the side that were recently crowned Wales Champion Schools winners. Amongst them is Josh Ramsey, brother of Arsenal and Wales international footballer Aaron.  

The other staff are team manager Kevan Tee, conditioner Stefan Sankala and

assistant coach Aled James. Celtic Crusaders Super League squad member and Wales International player James,  also coached last years 16s team to their closest ever result against England.

Head Coach Loxton who has coached Rugby League with the Cardiff Demons and Wales ‘A’ for nearly 10 years is excited about the squad and the challenge ahead.

It has been a very tough selection process to get to this final 18-man squad,” he said. “We have all been amazed at the amount of talented players from the schools and clubs. These players now have a fantastic opportunity not only in the big match against England but also following on from that with opportunities to play in international tournaments and for the Crusaders Academy teams. We are all looking forward to seeing how this group of players manage against their more experienced counterparts from England, only by playing high quality opposition will our boys develop as Rugby League players.

Admission prices for the match on Good Friday are £3 for adults and £1 for concessions.

u16 to face England: Dom Franchi, Rhys Watkins, Josh Ramsey, Olly Olds, Rhodri Lloyd, Steve Williams, Andrew Waite, Michael Griffiths, Nathan Facy, Ashley Bonser, Efan Ellis, Jack Pring, Gerard Ellis, Tom Owen, Ben Evans, Rhys Evans, Ben Jones, Jason Blackmore.

Previous results
2008     Wales 6 England 10
2007     Wales 0 England 46
2006     Wales 0 England 24